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KUALA LUMPUR: The national badminton coaches have finally been given clear instructions over their new roles and responsibilities under the new coaching and training structure.

On Saturday, the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) Talent Management Group director Tan Aik Mong spent about two hours briefing all the national coaches at Stadium Juara in Bukit Jalil.

And to ensure that there would be two-way communication, Aik Mong will be meeting all the coaches every fortnight. He will also get daily feedback from Razif Sidek and Hendrawan, who have been put in charge of Team A and Team B.

“I am here to help the coaches. I could not explain to them about all these changes earlier as I was in the midst of putting things into place. The framework is in place now and I have informed all the coaches of our new approaches,” said Aik Mong.

The coaches have been given forms for them to evaluate their players’ performances in training and outline the players’ training and tournament programme. Players would be sent abroad based on coaches’ evaluation.

The coaches have also started their national ranking tournament, which is an ongoing process now.

On Saturday, Aik Mong also said a small team would be sent for the back-to-back Denmark and France Opens next month. Those in the squad are Lee Chong Wei, Liew Daren, Chong Wei Feng, Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong and Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying.

“Officially, it has been only two weeks since I started my job. Give me time as I slowly put things into place. Once the national team gets moving, I will then be able to focus on the state programmes,” he added.

Meanwhile, the BAM’s support service group general manager Kenny Goh said that the national body had not sent nor had it planned to send any warning letter to world No 1 Lee Chong Wei for standing up for his coach Rashid Sidek, who quit on Thursday.

Said Kenny, in a statement sent to the media: “BAM wish to reiterate to members of the media that at no time was it ever mentioned, of any directive from BAM for any letter of warning to be issued to Lee Chong Wei nor any player on this issue.”